Xavi could call up 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy for the first time vs Valencia

One of the biggest features of Xavi Hernandez’s stint as the manager of FC Barcelona has been the opportunities provided to the young talents from the club’s academy.

As many as 15 La Masia players have made their senior debut for Barcelona under Xavi while several other continue to receive opportunities to train with the first-team squad quite regularly.

With not much left to play for in the season, more youngsters may very well get a look-in before the campaign ends, starting from Monday night’s game against Valencia.

Brian Farinas could receive call-up against Valencia

Indeed, as per SPORT, teenage midfielder Brian Farinas could be in line for a call-up to the squad for Barcelona’s game against Valencia.

The Blaugrana host Los Che at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Monday night and the manager could turn to the academy man to bolster his options in midfield.

It must be noted that Barcelona will be without Frenkie de Jong, whose season is over following an injury against Real Madrid last week.

De Jong is out for the season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Pedri has not trained this week as a precaution while Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen have also suffered from physical problems in the recent past.

As such, there is a chance that Farinas might be called up to the squad for the Valencia clash.

Who is Brian Farinas?

Brian Farinas, 18, has been with Barcelona since 2018 when he joined La Masia from the Villarreal youth academy.

The teenager has enjoyed a steady rise through the ranks at La Masia and is currently a part of the Barça Juvenil A setup, for whom he played five times in the UEFA Youth League this season.

Farinas has also featured once for Rafa Marquez’s Barcelona Atletic team and has been called up to train with the first team by Xavi on multiple occasions.

The teenage midfielder was with the senior setup in today’s sessions as well along with two more youngsters in Quim Junyent and Landry Farre.

As things stand, it is not ruled out that Farinas could be given a spot in the squad against Valencia.